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Jim Scott papers
Special Collections and Archives
Jim Scott papers
Special Collections and Archives
Jim Scott papers
- Repository: Kent State University Libraries. Special Collections and Archives.
- Title: Jim Scott papers
- Inclusive Date(s): 1938-1985
- Bulk Date(s): 1940-1947
- Author: Finding aid prepared by Stephen Krason, October 2012
- Creation: Finding aid encoded by Stephen Krason using the OhioLINK EAD Application in 2012
- Origination: Scott, Jim, 1887-1950
- Extent: .66 cubic feet (2 document cases)
- Physical Location: 11th floor
- Finding Aid Identifier: OhKeUSC0143
- Abstract: This collection contains the personal papers of Jim Scott, Akron bookseller and later librarian for the Akron Beacon Journal. Most of the material is correspondence dealing with the bookselling business during the 1940s, but personal letters and other items relating to Scott and his life are also included.
- Language(s): The records are in English
Biography of Jim Scott
Jim Scott was born February 6, 1887 in Australia. His family soon moved to Scotland, and Scott came to the United States in 1907. He began working in the newspaper industry, in cities such as Pittsburgh and Akron. Scott's struggles with alcoholism caused significant problems in both his professional and personal life, causing him to journey across the country from one job to another throughout much of the 1920s and 1930s. Upon returning to Akron (where he had previously been a reporter and editor for Goodyear Tire's Wingfoot Clan), Scott became involved with Alcoholics Anonymous, an organization that had a profound impact on the rest of his life. In the early 1940s he operated the Middlebury Book Shop in Akron, and during World War II served on the Summit County War Finance Committee. Scott became the chief librarian for the Akron Beacon Journal in 1947, a position he held until his death on May 24, 1950.
Scope and Content
The Jim Scott papers include items ranging from 1938 to 1985. Most of the collection consists of correspondence written in the 1940s between Scott and various individuals. The bulk of this involves the bookselling business, in which Scott participated through both his bookstore in Akron and a private cache kept in his apartment. Notable items include correspondence with Ernest J. Wessen of the Midland Rare Books Company and several other prominent individuals of the period, such as columnist Westbrook Pegler.
The collection also contains items relating to Scott's life, such as his work with Alcoholics Anonymous. This includes not only his own correspondence, but letters between family and friends. Additionally, there are biographical materials that provide further information on Scott and his times.
Statement of Arrangement
The Jim Scott papers have been organized in the following series:
- Series 1: Correspondence and Materials Related to Bookselling
- Series 2: Jim Scott and Ernest J. Wessen Correspondence
- Series 3: Personal Materials
- Subseries 1: Personal Correspondence
- Subseries 2: Biographical Materials
Preferred Citation
Jim Scott papers. Kent State University Libraries. Special Collections and Archives.
Acquisition Information
Frank Klein, whose family is mentioned in several pieces of Jim Scott's correspondence, donated this collection to Special Collections and Archives.
Subject Headings
The following subjects are found in this collection:
- Subjects:
- Scott, Jim, 1887-1950 -- Archives.
- Booksellers and bookselling -- Ohio -- Akron.
- Booksellers and bookselling -- United States.
- Antiquarian booksellers -- United States.
- Rare books -- Collectors and collecting -- United States.
- Persons:
- Wessen, Ernest James, 1887-1974.
- Pegler, J. Westbrook (James Westbrook), 1894-1969.
- Organizations/Corporations:
- Middlebury Book Shop (Akron, Ohio)
- Functions:
- Booksellers and bookselling.
- Places:
- Akron (Ohio)
- Occupations:
- Booksellers and bookselling.
- Antiquarian booksellers.
- Material Types:
- Correspondence.
Detailed Description of the Collection
Series 1: Correspondence and Materials Related to Bookselling, 1938-1947
- Box 1 / Folder 1
- Westbrook Pegler to Jim Scott, December 15, 1938
- Box 1 / Folder 2
- Jim Scott to Westbrook Pegler, December 22, 1938
- Box 1 / Folder 3
- Westbrook Pegler to Jim Scott, January 31, 1939
- Box 1 / Folder 4
- Jim Scott to Westbrook Pegler, February 2, 1939
- Box 1 / Folder 5
- Jacob S. Payton to Jim Scott, August 11, 1939
- Box 1 / Folder 6
- C. J. to Jim Scott, September 20, 1940
- Box 1 / Folder 7
- Jim Scott to W. P. Kellam, July 9, 1941
- Box 1 / Folder 8
- W. P. Kellam to Jim Scott, July 16, 1941
- Box 1 / Folder 9
- Jim Scott to Richard F. Stevens, July 16, 1941
- Box 1 / Folder 10
- Julia Moore to Jim Scott, July 17, 1941
- Box 1 / Folder 11
- W. P. Kellam to Jim Scott, July 18, 1941
- Box 1 / Folder 12
- Jim Scott to A. M. Tilden, July 25, 1941
- Box 1 / Folder 13
- Jim Scott to Thomas Campbell, July 26, 1941
- Box 1 / Folder 14
- A. M. Tilden to Jim Scott, July 28, 1941
- Box 1 / Folder 15
- W. P. Kellam to Jim Scott, July 29, 1941
- Box 1 / Folder 16
- Richard F. Stevens to Jim Scott, July 29, 1941
- Box 1 / Folder 17
- Jim Scott to New York Herald Tribune, July 31, 1941
- Box 1 / Folder 18
- Jacob Blanck to Jim Scott, August 4, 1941
- Box 1 / Folder 19
- Jim Scott to Fuller Nance, August 6, 1941
- Box 1 / Folder 20
- Jim Scott to Richard F. Stevens, August 7, 1941
- Box 1 / Folder 21
- Jim Scott to A. M. Tilden, August 9, 1941
- Box 1 / Folder 22
- William E. Haskell to Jim Scott, August 11, 1941
- Box 1 / Folder 23
- Frank K. Walter to Jim Scott, August 11, 1941
- Box 1 / Folder 24
- Jim Scott to William H. Vodrey, August 16, 1941
- Box 1 / Folder 25
- A. M. Tilden to Jim Scott, August 21, 1941
- Box 1 / Folder 26
- Mrs. Robert McGuire to Jim Scott, September 3, 1941
- Box 1 / Folder 27
- Sophie P. White to Jim Scott, November 8, 1941
- Box 1 / Folder 28
- Jim Scott to the librarian of Rollins College, December 2, 1941
- Box 1 / Folder 29
- Jim Scott to Virginia Etheredge, December 8, 1941
- Box 1 / Folder 30
- Jim Scott to Kansas State Historical Society, December 16, 1941
- Box 1 / Folder 31
- Helen M. McFarland to Jim Scott, December 18, 1941
- Box 1 / Folder 32
- Porter Loring to Jim Scott, January 19, 1942
- Box 1 / Folder 33
- Jim Scott to Wright Howes, January 27, 1942
- Box 1 / Folder 34
- Henry C. Friedman to Jim Scott, March 22, 1942
- Box 1 / Folder 35
- Henry C. Friedman to Jim Scott, March 26, 1942
- Box 1 / Folder 36
- Jim Scott to Henry C. Friedman, April 8, 1942
- Box 1 / Folder 37
- Jim Scott to Lincoln Memorial University, April 10. 1942
- Box 1 / Folder 38
- Jim Scott to Fannie Wilcox, April 14, 1942
- Box 1 / Folder 39
- Jim Scott to J. W. Bay, April 17, 1942
- Box 1 / Folder 40
- Jim Scott to Henry C. Friedman, April 23, 1942
- Box 1 / Folder 41
- Jim Scott to Frank, August 16, 1942
- Box 1 / Folder 42
- Jim Scott to Mrs. Thomas E. Smith, January 4, 1945
- Box 1 / Folder 43
- Walter F. Tunks to Jim Scott, March 27, 1946
- Box 1 / Folder 44
- Jim Scott to Goodyear Tire & Rubber, March 30, 1946
- Box 1 / Folder 45
- E. Everhart Jr. to Jim Scott, April 5, 1946
- Box 1 / Folder 46
- Jim Scott to O. Miles Ewell, April 11, 1946
- Box 1 / Folder 47
- O. Miles Ewell to Jim Scott, April 15, 1946
- Box 1 / Folder 48
- Jim Scott to Alfred Goldsmith, May 4, 1946
- Box 1 / Folder 49
- Jim Scott to the Public Library of New London, Connecticut, May 4, 1946
- Box 1 / Folder 50
- Paul to Jim Scott, May 15, 1946
- Box 1 / Folder 51
- Jim Scott to Halle Bros. Co., May 28, 1946
- Box 1 / Folder 52
- Jim Scott to Joseph W. Faulkner, May 29, 1946
- Box 1 / Folder 53
- Veronica Hutchinson to Jim Scott, May 29, 1946
- Box 1 / Folder 54
- Jim Scott to International Harvester Company, June 8, 1946
- Box 1 / Folder 55
- Jim Scott to Mount Vernon Public Library, June 11, 1946
- Box 1 / Folder 56
- Loraine C. Weber to Jim Scott, June 11, 1946
- Box 1 / Folder 57
- Jim Scott to Veronica Hutchinson, June 21, 1946
- Box 1 / Folder 58
- Jim Scott to New York Public Library, June 25, 1946
- Box 1 / Folder 59
- Jim Scott to the Public Library of New London, Connecticut, June 28, 1946
- Box 1 / Folder 60
- National Distillers Products Corporation to Jim Scott, July 3, 1946
- Box 1 / Folder 61
- Earle P. Hambly to Jim Scott, July 5, 1946
- Box 1 / Folder 62
- Jim Scott to National Distillers Products Corporation, July 6, 1946
- Box 1 / Folder 63
- Paul North Rice to Jim Scott, July 17, 1946
- Box 1 / Folder 64
- Charles A. Pfahl to Jim Scott, August 2, 1946
- Box 1 / Folder 65
- Jim Scott to Carl M. White, August 12, 1946
- Box 1 / Folder 66
- Jim Scott to D. B. Hepburn, August 13, 1946
- Box 1 / Folder 67
- Maurice F. Tauber to Jim Scott, August 16, 1946
- Box 1 / Folder 68
- King Bros. Bookstore to Jim Scott, August 17, 1946
- Box 1 / Folder 69
- Jim Scott to Maurice F. Tauber, August 22, 1946
- Box 1 / Folder 70
- Maurice F. Tauber to Jim Scott, August 26, 1946
- Box 1 / Folder 71
- Earle P. Hambly to Jim Scott, September 11, 1946
- Box 1 / Folder 72
- Jim Scott to Beauford Jester, September 14, 1946
- Box 1 / Folder 73
- Jim Scott to Procter & Gamble Company, September 18, 1946
- Box 1 / Folder 74
- David Markowitz to Jim Scott, September 20, 1946
- Box 1 / Folder 75
- Jim Scott to Parker, September 22, 1946
- Box 1 / Folder 76
- Jim Scott to Earle P. Hambly, September 28, 1946
- Box 1 / Folder 77
- Earle P. Hambly to Jim Scott, October 7, 1946
- Box 1 / Folder 78
- Book Collection of E. R. Meyer to Jim Scott, December 13, 1946
- Box 1 / Folder 79
- Jim Scott to Stanley G. Remington, December 13, 1946
- Box 1 / Folder 80
- Fred Greger to Jim Scott, December 20, 1946
- Box 1 / Folder 81
- M. A. Newberry to Jim Scott, January 2, 1947
- Box 1 / Folder 82
- Julian D. Martin to Jim Scott, January 3, 1947
- Box 1 / Folder 83
- Stanley G. Remington to Jim Scott, January 4, 1947
- Box 1 / Folder 84
- Jim Scott to Charleston Public Library, January 27, 1947
- Box 1 / Folder 85
- Marion A. Cox to Jim Scott, January 28, 1947
- Box 1 / Folder 86
- Jim Scott to Harvey C. Minnich, February 4, 1947
- Box 1 / Folder 87
- Jim Scott to Collacott, February 9, 1947
- Box 1 / Folder 88
- Jim Scott to Harvey C. Minnich, February 10, 1947
- Box 1 / Folder 89
- Emily Sanders to Jim Scott, February 11, 1947
- Box 1 / Folder 90
- Jim Scott to Fred Smith, February 11, 1947
- Box 1 / Folder 91
- Harvey C. Minnich to Jim Scott, February 13, 1947
- Box 1 / Folder 92
- T. J. D. (Remington Book Stores) to Jim Scott, February 20, 1947
- Box 1 / Folder 93
- Jim Scott to Randolph G. Adams, March 11, 1947
- Box 1 / Folder 94
- A. H. Wilson to Jim Scott, March 14, 1947
- Box 1 / Folder 95
- John S. Van E. Kohn to Jim Scott, March 17, 1947
- Box 1 / Folder 96
- Dich Beckwick to Jim Scott, March 20, 1947
- Box 1 / Folder 97
- Randolph G. Adams to Jim Scott, March 25, 1947
- Box 1 / Folder 98
- Jim Scott to Colgate-Palmolive Company, May 5, 1947
- Box 1 / Folder 99
- Jim Scott to the Public Library of Youngstown, Ohio, May 5, 1947
- Box 1 / Folder 100
- Jim Scott to Carl, July 3, 1947
- Box 1 / Folder 101
- Alan W. Farley to Jim Scott, undated
- Box 1 / Folder 102
- Jim Scott to Frank H. James, undated
- Box 1 / Folder 103
- Jim Scott to Jacob S. Payton, undated
- Box 1 / Folder 104
- Unidentified to Jim Scott, undated
- Box 1 / Folder 105
- List of books with comments, undated
Series 2: Jim Scott and Ernest J. Wessen Correspondence, 1942-1949
- Box 2 / Folder 1
- Jim Scott to Ernest J. Wessen, January 15, 1942
- Box 2 / Folder 2
- Ernest J. Wessen to Jim Scott, January 16, 1942
- Box 2 / Folder 3
- Ernest J. Wessen to Jim Scott, January 22, 1942
- Box 2 / Folder 4
- Jim Scott to Ernest J. Wessen, March 3, 1942
- Box 2 / Folder 5
- Ernest J. Wessen to Jim Scott, April 7, 1942
- Box 2 / Folder 6
- Jim Scott to Ernest J. Wessen, April 20, 1942
- Box 2 / Folder 7
- Ernest J. Wessen to Jim Scott, April 21, 1942
- Box 2 / Folder 8
- Jim Scott to Ernest J. Wessen, June 17, 1942
- Box 2 / Folder 9
- Jim Scott to Ernest J. Wessen, July 3, 1946
- Box 2 / Folder 10
- Ernest J. Wessen to Jim Scott, July 5, 1946
- Box 2 / Folder 11
- Ernest J. Wessen to Jim Scott, July 8, 1946
- Box 2 / Folder 12
- Ernest J. Wessen to Jim Scott, July 18, 1946
- Box 2 / Folder 13
- Ernest J. Wessen to Jim Scott, July 21, 1946
- Box 2 / Folder 14
- Jim Scott to Ernest J. Wessen, July 22, 1946
- Box 2 / Folder 15
- Jim Scott to Ernest J. Wessen, July 22, 1946
- Box 2 / Folder 16
- Ernest J. Wessen to Jim Scott, July 29, 1946
- Box 2 / Folder 17
- Jim Scott to Ernest J. Wessen, August 1, 1946
- Box 2 / Folder 18
- Ernest J. Wessen to Jim Scott, August 2, 1946
- Box 2 / Folder 19
- Ernest J. Wessen to Jim Scott, August 11, 1946
- Box 2 / Folder 20
- Jim Scott to Ernest J. Wessen, August 14, 1946
- Box 2 / Folder 21
- Ernest J. Wessen to Jim Scott, August 18, 1946
- Box 2 / Folder 22
- Ernest J. Wessen to Jim Scott, December 7, 1946
- Box 2 / Folder 23
- Ernest J. Wessen to Jim Scott, January 10, 1947
- Box 2 / Folder 24
- Jim Scott Ernest J. Wessen, January 13, 1947
- Box 2 / Folder 25
- Ernest J. Wessen to Jim Scott, January 14, 1947
- Box 2 / Folder 26
- Ernest J. Wessen to Jim Scott, January 23, 1947
- Box 2 / Folder 27
- Jim Scott to Ernest J. Wessen, January 24, 1947
- Box 2 / Folder 28
- Ernest J. Wessen to Jim Scott, February 2, 1947
- Box 2 / Folder 29
- Jim Scott to Ernest J. Wessen, February 4, 1947
- Box 2 / Folder 30
- Ernest J. Wessen to Jim Scott, February 5, 1947
- Box 2 / Folder 31
- Ernest J. Wessen to Jim Scott, February 10, 1947
- Box 2 / Folder 32
- Jim Scott to Ernest J. Wessen, February 12, 1947
- Box 2 / Folder 33
- Ernest J. Wessen to Jim Scott, February 13, 1947
- Box 2 / Folder 34
- Ernest J. Wessen to Jim Scott, February 18, 1947
- Box 2 / Folder 35
- Jim Scott to Ernest J. Wessen, February 20, 1947
- Box 2 / Folder 36
- Ernest J. Wessen to Jim Scott, February 22, 1947
- Box 2 / Folder 37
- Ernest J. Wessen to Jim Scott, March 3, 1947
- Box 2 / Folder 38
- Ernest J. Wessen to Jim Scott, March 12, 1947
- Box 2 / Folder 39
- Ernest J. Wessen to Jim Scott, March 14, 1947
- Box 2 / Folder 40
- Ernest J. Wessen to Jim Scott, March 17, 1947
- Box 2 / Folder 41
- Ernest J. Wessen to Jim Scott, April 17, 1947
- Box 2 / Folder 42
- Jim Scott to Ernest J. Wessen, April 20, 1947
- Box 2 / Folder 43
- Ernest J. Wessen to Jim Scott, April 21, 1947
- Box 2 / Folder 44
- Ernest J. Wessen to Jim Scott, April 26, 1947
- Box 2 / Folder 45
- Jim Scott to Ernest J. Wessen, April 26, 1947
- Box 2 / Folder 46
- Ernest J. Wessen to Jim Scott, May 3, 1947
- Box 2 / Folder 47
- Ernest J. Wessen to Jim Scott, 1947
- Box 2 / Folder 48
- Ernest J. Wessen to Jim Scott, July 12, 1949
- Box 2 / Folder 49
- Jim Scott to Ernest J. Wessen, undated
Series 3: Personal Materials, 1939-1985
Subseries 1: Personal Correspondence, 1941-1947
- Box 2 / Folder 50
- Jim Scott to Ben, January 26, 1941
- Box 2 / Folder 51
- Ernest J. Wessen to Lionel M. Swicker, January 27, 1941
- Box 2 / Folder 52
- Jim Scott to Jake, May 28, 1941
- Box 2 / Folder 53
- Jim Scott to Emily Gibson, August 7, 1941
- Box 2 / Folder 54
- Jim Scott to H. Carpenter, December 19, 1941
- Box 2 / Folder 55
- Jim Scott to George W. Biddle, January 21, 1942
- Box 2 / Folder 56
- Jim Scott to Screech, January 26, 1942
- Box 2 / Folder 57
- Jim Scott to George W. Biddle, January 28, 1942
- Box 2 / Folder 58
- Jim Scott to Harold H. Bredlow, February 28, 1943
- Box 2 / Folder 59
- Jim Scott to Harold H. Bredlow, September 23, 1943
- Box 2 / Folder 60
- Unidentified to Jim Scott, September 13, 1944
- Box 2 / Folder 61
- Jack to Jim Scott, April 21, 1945
- Box 2 / Folder 62
- Jim Scott to John Dickson, March 20, 1946
- Box 2 / Folder 63
- Jim Scott to Roelif Loveland, May 10, 1946
- Box 2 / Folder 64
- Roelif Loveland to Jim Scott, May 14, 1946
- Box 2 / Folder 65
- Jim Scott to Sam Loveman, July 16, 1946
- Box 2 / Folder 66
- Jim Scott to Jerry, August 19, 1946
- Box 2 / Folder 67
- Elizabeth Cother to Jim Scott, October 31, 1946
- Box 2 / Folder 68
- Jim Scott to Ida Goshkin, November 22, 1946
- Box 2 / Folder 69
- Anthony Cusher to Jim Scott, December 6, 1946
- Box 2 / Folder 70
- Charles A. Gates to Jim Scott, December 11, 1946
- Box 2 / Folder 71
- Ray Bliss to Jim Scott, January 4, 1947
- Box 2 / Folder 72
- Jim Scott to Jerry, January 8, 1947
- Box 2 / Folder 73
- Jim Scott to Ed Stevens, January 26, 1947
- Box 2 / Folder 74
- Jim Scott to P. W. Litchfield, January 27, 1947
- Box 2 / Folder 75
- P. W. Litchfield to Jim Scott, February 3, 1947
- Box 2 / Folder 76
- Jim Scott to Bill Wilson, April 9, 1947
- Box 2 / Folder 77
- Margaret R. Burger to Maurice McGiffen, April 18, 1947
- Box 2 / Folder 78
- W. Ray Hogue to Jim Scott, April 18, 1947
- Box 2 / Folder 79
- Al to Jim Scott, undated
- Box 2 / Folder 80
- Frank W. Collins to Jim Scott, undated
- Box 2 / Folder 81
- Hugh Allen Galt to Jim Scott, undated
- Box 2 / Folder 82
- Jerry to Jim Scott, undated
- Box 2 / Folder 83
- Jerry to Jim Scott, undated
- Box 2 / Folder 84
- Sam Loveman to Jim Scott, undated
- Box 2 / Folder 85
- Hiedi Scott to Jim Scott, undated
- Box 2 / Folder 86
- Hiedi Scott to Jim Scott, undated
- Box 2 / Folder 87
- Jackie Scott to Kitty, undated
- Box 2 / Folder 88
- Yvonne to Jim Scott, undated
Subseries 2: Biographical Materials, 1939-1985
- Box 2 / Folder 89
- Biographical Information on Hugh Allen Galt, 1947
- Box 2 / Folder 90
- Biographical Information on Jim Scott, 1939-1985
- Box 2 / Folder 91
- Information on Children to Palestine, 1946
- Box 2 / Folder 92
- Unidentified Writings, undated
